Chapter Twenty
“Barbecue at our place, three pm,” Aaron reminds us as Max pulls down the garage door a little after one on Saturday afternoon. Not that there’s any chance we would forget with Aaron constantly reminding us. He wraps an arm around Max and one around my shoulders and pulls us close.
“It’s your dad’s birthday, and he’s getting out for the day, so you two need to kiss and make up.” He looks pointedly at me.
“Shut up,” I grumble and elbow him in the side.
To say that things have been strained between my dad and me is an understatement. We have barely spoken since I’d found out what happened the night of his accident. As a result, visits are tense and I don’t stay long. It also doesn’t help that dad has cabin fever and is grumpier than normal.
Neither Max nor I had told him that I went to see the Andersons. Beth and Aaron are sworn to secrecy as well. In my mind, there is no point in worrying him or getting his hopes up until we’ve heard back from them. But the wait is fraying my nerves.
“My dad is picking Hank up from the hospital. Be there at three.” He tips his head in Max’s direction, who nods, assuring Aaron that I’ll be there.
I am here, you know. I can speak for myself.
Because today is his birthday, Nurse McCartney has taken pity on him and given him a pass for the day. So, after a long, hot, relaxing shower, I am dressed and sitting on the front step waiting for Max when he pulls into the drive. The appraising look he gives me as I walk to the car sends butterflies soaring in my stomach and warms me to my very core.
“Nice dress.” He nods, flashing me a smile before pulling on his aviators and reversing down the drive. When I went to my closet today, thinking that I really need to buy more clothes, I found a sundress tucked away in the back. I don’t remember buying it, and I start to wonder if Beth has been sneaking clothes into my closet. But nah… that’s just silly.
Max takes my hand in his, long fingers intertwining with mine, and places our joint hands on top of the gear stick as he drives. Just having him close and touching me helps push the whole business with Tom and Zach Anderson to the back of my mind. Aaron is right; I need to kiss and make up with my dad and focus on having a good time. It is his birthday, after all, and we’ve never had a falling out like this before.
By the time Max and I arrive, the barbecue is well under way, and by the noise coming from the backyard, everyone is enjoying themselves. Max grabs a drink for us on his way past the fridge, and when we walk into the garden, I make a beeline for my dad.
“Happy birthday, Dad.” I hug him as best as I can while still trying to be careful of his injuries. “Any word when you’re being discharged?” Everyone knows how grumpy he has been. If anything, the nursing staff is probably desperate to get rid of him.
“I think they’re talking about next week.” He smiles widely; it’s the happiest I’ve seen him in a while.
“Best get the house tidy for you coming home then.” A broad smile spreads across my face because I’m looking forward to him coming home.
“Have you been okay there on your own?” Concern creases his brow, and I love how even after all this time of living away from home, he’s still worried about me being home alone.
“I’ve been fine. You know I don’t mind being on my own.”
“Yeah, well, I’d feel safer knowing someone was there with you.” He frowns and I wonder if he would be so happy if he knew that for the past few nights I haven’t been on my own. That Max has been staying with me. Actually, I’m surprised that he doesn’t know already. Someone must have spotted Max’s car there overnight.
“You’ll be home soon, so there’s no need to worry.” I give him a kiss on the cheek before he asks any more questions. “Now go and mingle with your friends; you’ll see enough of me when you get out.” I help him out of the lawn chair and watch as he wanders over to speak to some of his buddies, which leaves me free to find Max. But first, I duck into the kitchen and grab a beer for me and a soda for him.
From across the garden, I spot him. It’s hard not to when I can’t keep my eyes off him. Like a heat-seeking device, my eyes are drawn to his. A smile spreads across his face which takes my breath away, affecting me in much the same way as it did the very first time I saw him.
Over the years, I couldn’t help but compare the few dates I had to him. No matter how hard I tried, I could never forget the boy with the addictive smile. At the time, I used to wonder what was really going on behind those eyes; I wondered if the image he portrayed was the real Max Morgan. There were times when I would catch him watching me, with his guard down and mask off. That’s the Max I fell for. That smile was dangerous to my heart and soul. Even though I would frown, behind each glare I was hiding how much those genuine smiles affected me because they were few and far between.